thermostat on UTH???

[Snakefood]

So I have an UTH for my new setup and now have some questions on controlling temp. I know Rob said in another thread that you must have a thermostat on your UTH so the snake does not get burned.

So, do I buy a specific thermostat, or just any one from home depot? and since the thermometers that I have are the type that mount on the glass side, how do I know what the bottom temp is? Do I need another thermometer that reads from the bottom of the tank?

[stephanbakir]

Thermostats sold at home depot are for homes and I'm not sure if you can use them in a terrarium. There are reptile thermostats that are nice, like herpstat.

Thermometers are best used in the location you wish to monitor, I don't even use them. Instead I used thermostats and a temp gun.

[Snakefood]

ahhh, ok. We have a temp gun so we can just use that then!! A herpstat, ok. So does the UTH plug into the herpstat or does hubby have to splice it in??

[stephanbakir]

It plugs in, the probe from the thermostat monitors the temp, and if it goes too high it turns off the UTH

[Lankyrob]

All mine are running ceramic bulbs but the thermostats have a probe that you place directly below the bulb (i THINK with a uth you put the probe on the uth but dont quote me!) when the temp is right it will hold the temps within 1/10th of a degree by switching the bulb on and off. If the external temps then go up or down it will switch the bulb on or off for longer to keep the temps stable in the viv.

[Snakefood]

awsome guys, thanks for all the info!! I found a store that sells the herpstats but won't be able to go get it today as hoped. Too far out and i am being decended upon by family!!